N.F.L. Matchups; Rison Is Blooming In New Falcon Offense

By THOMAS GEORGE

Published: October 12, 1990

At Michigan State, Andre Rison spent much of his career in the shadow of Mark Ingram, now a Giants receiver. Last year, in his first pro season, Rison was one of three Indianapolis Colts to catch 50 or more passes. Rison was the 22d player selected and the second receiver chosen behind Hart Lee Dykes in the 1989 draft. For most of his football career, he has been a key weapon for an offense but not the chief one.

That is changing with the Atlanta Falcons, where Rison has blossomed. Sure, he was an all-rookie selection last season and caught four touchdown passes. But already through four Falcons games, Rison leads the league's receivers with 29 catches for 377 yards and four touchdowns. He looks for more when Atlanta (2-2) tackles the San Francisco 49ers (4-0) on Sunday in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Rison, 6 feet tall and 191 pounds, thought it could be this way when he was included in the Colts' trade package to Atlanta for the No. 1 choice in this year's draft, which the Colts used to pick Jeff George. Rison was eager to join the Falcons' run-and-shoot offense (the Red Gun) after he saw the Falcons' commitment to it in the team's off-season workouts.

He was an instant hit in Atlanta. During training camp, he asked fans to name his new touchdown strut. After an overwhelming response, Rison settled on the Highlight Zone.

''It's kind of a spin-off from the 'Twilight Zone,' '' Rison said, laughing. ''When you get into the end zone, that's where the TV highlights come from.''

Rison made 11 catches for 128 yards in the Falcons' 19-16 loss at San Francisco on Sept. 23, but it was Jerry Rice who entered the Highlight Zone with a 39-yard scoring grab that helped seal the 49ers' victory. As usual, Rice brings out the best in opposing receivers as do the 49ers as a team against any opponent.

San Francisco seeks a club-record 13th straight victory and its 14th straight on the road. Joe Montana, in 19 games against the Falcons, has thrown 28 touchdown passes and in their last meeting passed for his season high, 398 yards. Though the 49ers will be without Roger Craig (knee injury), they still possess plenty of weapons. The Falcons, fresh from beating New Orleans, know this divisional game is a true test of their new attitude.

So do their fans, and the matchup is a sellout in a stadium that is becoming an edge for the Falcons because of boisterous, spirited crowds that have disrupted opposing offenses, especially late in games. The Falcons switched to black uniforms this season, and Atlantans now call Falcon home dates Black Sunday. Black balloons are evident all over the stadium.

''When you play a divisional game, you have to bring an attitude with you,'' said Jerry Glanville, the Falcons' head coach, who turns 49 on Sunday. ''The first half you let them know the good times are rollin'. You worry about winning the game in the second half.'' (The top four A.F.C. East teams from last season - Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami and New England - have byes this week.)

LOCAL TEAMS

Giants (4-0) at Washington (3-1)

The Redskins prepare more intently for the Giants than they do for any other team and a victory is always viewed as a chief barometer by the Redskins' coaches. ''You do something big against the Giants,'' said the Redskins' receiver, Ricky Sanders, ''and you catch all the coaches' eyes.''

The Giants have swept Washington in each of the last two seasons and have won seven of their last nine meetings. The Giants are concerned about the crowd noise in Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. ''It's frightening,'' said Lawrence Taylor. More frightening for the Redskins is Taylor and the Giants' defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the league and has allowed only 47.8 rushing yards per game.

Extra Point: Both teams had two weeks to prepare because of byes last week. Will the Giants force turnovers? Washington has only one (a fumble) through four games.

San Diego (1-4) at Jets (2-3)

Billy Joe Tolliver has had eight passes intercepted. San Diego will enter intent on running Marion Butts inside and out as the feature back in the Chargers' 11th-ranked rushing offense. The Jets own the league's second-ranked running game but are 21st in defending the run. These teams have not met in the New York area since 1974, and San Diego has not beaten the Jets on the road since 1965.

Extra Point: Freeman McNeil is two touchdowns short of 46 and moving into fourth place on the Jets' career list past Billy Mathis; Al Toon has caught at least one pass in 67 consecutive games.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Rams (1-3) at Chicago (4-1)

''We're a team way out of balance,'' said John Robinson, the Rams' head coach. ''We rank first in offense and last in defense.''

The Rams need a solid run defense against the rambling, no-frills Bears' offense. Tracking and tackling Neal Anderson, who has accounted for 36 percent of the Bears' offense, is important but handling the Bears' aggressive offensive line is crucial.

Extra Point: Jim Harbaugh will wear a flak jacket and will start as the Bears' quarterback despite sore ribs.